Community Chat

[lolakimono]

Would you separate conjoined twins (that share a heart) if you knew that one would be sacrificed to save the other?

[lolakimono]

A new mom fusses over her baby boys. They are twins who are locked in a permanent embrace.

Andrew and Garett were born conjoined, fused together from their chests to their waists. The boys each have two arms and two legs and most of their major organs are separate, but they share one heart and one liver.

The boys were born just three weeks ago at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Their parents, Michelle Van Horne and Kody Stancombe were faced with an impossible choice. The babies could be separated, but it was incredibly risky.

Dr. John Chan is the medical director of the intensive care nursery. He told INSIDE EDITION, “It would mean the possibility of sacrificing one with no guarantee of the other surviving anyway.”

Andrew would have died instantly and Garett would have needed a heart and liver transplant. The odds of his survival are very slim.

Michelle told INSIDE EDITION, “We made the decision to not separate them at all, love them the way they are and keep them until it’s their time to go.”

The boys have an adoring big brother named Riley. He is clearly thrilled with his baby brothers.

But caring for conjoined twins is not easy. Changing diapers is a challenge with two pairs of legs getting in the way. The babies have healthy appetites but as they get bigger and stronger, their shared heart will be under a lot of strain.

Conjoined twins can grow up to live happy full lives.

Minnesota teenagers Abby and Brittany Hensel have their own reality show.

Ronnie and Donnie Galyon from Dayton, Ohio, are the world's oldest surviving conjoined twins. They are 63. But unlike the brothers in Pennsylvania, they each have a heart.

With the future uncertain, Michelle and Kody are living in the moment and grateful to have any time at all with their miracle babies.

Michelle said, “We don't know how long they have. To me, it’s a miracle every day waking up, hearing them cry, feeding them, holding them, loving them.”

[Luv2Decorate]

I have no idea what we'd do. Can 1 heart support 2 body's and for how long? It's incredibly sad.

[lolakimono]

It doesn't sound like the heart will last, but I don't know if they have months or years.

[Allegheny]

This is indeed a very sad. It was on our local news. It appears that a separation would probably be fatal to both babies, so I understand why the parents would not even consider such and just enjoy the time they have with their babies.

[occasionalrain]

They really don't have a decision since it's more than likely both would die if separation were attempted.

Now if separating would mean one would die while the other would be healthy then separating would be my choice.

[gazelle77]

The children will have a tortured existence when older, and if one twin gets sick or dies later, the other may also die. I think the Mother's reason for keeping them conjoined is selfish, but, understandable from her point of view. She loves them

[scotttie]

I don't think anybody knows what they would do unless they are in that situation themselves.

[Marienkaefer2]

On 5/7/2014 scotttie said:

I don't think anybody knows what they would do unless they are in that situation themselves.

I totally agree.

It's heartbreaking.

I think you would have to pray hard to God for guidance in this.

[SydneyH]

On 5/7/2014 Luv2Decorate said:

I have no idea what we'd do. Can 1 heart support 2 body's and for how long? It's incredibly sad.

No it can not, the time might vary based on other factors........